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The New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) has agreed to continue with plans to send athletes for Delhi Commonwealth Games, which ends mounting speculation that New Zealand could withdraw from the event. The build up to the October 3-14 Games has been marred by concerns around security, health and incomplete building work, which had delayed the arrival of Kiwi athletes to the Indian capital. Addressing a conference in Auckland , NZOC President Mike Stanley said: "We plan to have the team in Delhi and we have our first athletes planning to be on the ground in Delhi on September 28." "Unless there is some situation we can't effectively resolve, that's what we expect to happen. The NZOC board met this afternoon and was briefed on the situation. We gave it a lot of careful consideration," Stuff.co.nz quoted Stanley , as saying. "The board has agreed that planning for the team to go to Delhi will continue and that we will monitor the situation ahead of athletes' arrivals next week. It is now up to the Games' organisers to provide satisfaction to the implementation of the Games plans," he added. He also stressed that the NZOC would continue their ongoing assessment and liaison with the Delhi Commonwealth Games Organizing Committee. "We are very conscious of our responsibility as a board. Athlete health and safety is our overriding concern," Stanley said. "We feel for the athletes at this time. It is a time of uncertainty for them and we thank them for their understanding and their patience in this matter," he added.

New Zealand confirms Delhi Commonwealth Games participation